Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7510, Jessee Gent, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Gent, Jesse
W 7510
or Jesse
Mary Ann
Born in N.C.
CONTENTS

let 14 June 1839 A. Pays upon 3 d Annuity Nov. 3/54 Let G.W. Tallet, No. 6/54
2658
Rep
Tennessee
Mary Ann Gont.
of Jesse Gont, deceased who died on the 17 February, 1838 - of Smith Co l in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company - commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regt. - commanded by Col: Bolier in the N. Carolina line for 9 Months -
Enrolled on the Roll of Nashville at the rate of 30 Dollars 18 th Feb y 1838 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1 st day of March 1838 }
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May 1839 and sent to A. Fer- guson, Calhage, Tenn. -
Arrears to the 4 th of Mar: 1839 $ 31.25 Semi-annual allowance ending 11 Sept - 15.00
$46.25
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by M m Stewart - Clerk Book A - Vol. 2 Page 182

Letter 27 April 1837 Pen Ag ts do do do Pensioned do A Hergufaw 22 June 1838
Dead Order to pay 8 letters to A Hergufaw gusson 18 th Sept th 1838
19485  West Hannaford
Deceased of Smith in the State of Tenn who was a private in the Co  2 commanded by Captain Johnson of the regt commanded by Col Walker in the Brig line for 9 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tenn at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sept 1833 and A Hergufaw  West Hannaford
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 73.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 15.00  88.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 79

Mary Ann Gent died 5 June 1846 paid in full.
Thos. S. Rind. Acting Auditor
5 June 1846

Pension Office, Nov 3 d 1854.
Sir:
I herewith submit the papers on which Mary Ann Gent, widow of Jesse, was inscribed on the Tennessee Roll under the Act of July 1, st 1836, at the rate of $30 per annum, and will be obliged if you will state to what time her pension has been paid.
I am respectfully, Your O bt Servt. J. M c Malus Commissioner.
R. A. Atkinson Esq. Third Auditor. Present.

State of Tennessee On this 28 th day of July 1888 personally appeared Smith County and I before me Patrick Stergesson one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid he the said I see being a resident of the county of Smith and State of Tennessee and from old age and bodily infirmity is now unable to attend at the court house of his county to make the following declaration in open court: Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed 4 th June 1832 That he is 72 years of age and upwards. That he entered the service of the United States under the authority of North Carolina under the command of Col. Collier and was drafted to serve a three months tour his captains name was Joseph Johnson the brigade was under the command of General Butler he at that time lived in Wake County North Carolina. Does not recollect the day nor the month he was marched into service but knows it was at the time (here the English History was produced to refresh his memory Vol 7 th p. 18) Gen. Gates was defeated 1780 Aug 16 th He marched from Wake County to Salisbury and was sta- tioned there to guard the Tories in Salisbury Jail. He got a discharge this time for the full period of his three months service this time but owing to having his house burnt it was destroyed
Again he served another tour of three months as a drafted Militia man the summer following which was according the best of my recollection in the summer after my first trip under command of Capt Benjamin Blake that they with another captains company (Hilsman) and a company of light horse were stationed at Wake Court-house now called Raleigh to guard the General Assembly from the British and Tories. After the session of the General Assembly had adjourned and went home they were marched to Smith field where it was considered that Hilsman and Blakes companies could be commanded by one of the captains and they accordingly drew lots and it fell upon Hilsman who com- manded the balance of the time. They were marched from Smith field to the river Neuse and then to a creek called Goshen thence to Grays ferry on the Neuse river and was then discharged. He got a written discharge this time for three months but got it burnt in his house with the former discharge The latter part of this service was under Major Griffin
He was drafted again as a militia man for three months and

And was marched from Wake County to Hillsborough to guard the tavern - recollects to see one of the Feres hung but does not recollect his name His Captain's name was John Trent. The Colonel's name was John Taylor he got a written discharge this time for three months but had it consumed when he got home together with the former discharges. He has got two witnesses Willie Brown and Drury Brown who can testify as to his having served the above named tours of service - his last hour of service was at the time peace was made as there were no troops taken from his neighbourhood afterwards. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or territory within the United States of America
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid Patrick Ferguson J.P. { Jesse this Gent
State of Tennessee we We Willie Brown and Drury Brown of Smith County we hereby certify on oath that we are well ac- quainted with Jesse Gent while he lived in North Carolina and this State and do know of his having served the above named tours of service namely three tours of three months each in all nine months in the militia service of the State of North Carolina during the revolutionary war with Great Britain as he has stated in the above declaration and that he is a man of and veracity truth Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8 th day of July 1888
Patrick Ferguson J.P. { Wile Brown Drury Brown
I Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the peace for the county of Smith and State of Tennessee do hereby declare my opin- -ion that the above named applicant Jesse Gent was a revo- -lutionary soldier and served as he states. Witness my hand and seal this 8 th day of July 1888 Patrick Ferguson J.P.
State of Tennessee Smith County we We John Saunders regular minister of the gospel residing in county and State aforesaid and Dempsey Driver residing also in the county and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Gent who has sworn to the above declaration We are also acquainted with Willie Brown

and Drury Brown That we believe the said Jesse Grant to be upwards of Seventy two years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to be a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
That Walter Brown and Drury Brown who has given the above certificate and subscribed the same with their hands and seals are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8 th day of July 1888
Patrick Ferguson JP
John Saunders JP
Interrogatories put by the
Jersey Prison
Justice of the peace
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
ans I was born in Edgcomb County North Carolina in the year 1760
2 d by the same Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans I have none my father was not a man that could write his name by the same
3 rd Where were you living when called into service Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live?
Ans I lived when called into service in Wake County North Carolina I moved from thence to Kentucky and then to Tennessee where I now live
4 th by the same How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Ans I was regularly drafted by the authority of the Government of North Carolina who was called upon by the General Government to furnish her quota of militia troops as the State was invaded by Lord Cornwallis and his army
5 th by the same
State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Ans I can only state the names of such officers as I mentioned in my foregoing declaration such as Gen Butler, Col Hobbs Major Griffith Col Taylor the captains whom I served under and mentioned in the declaration. When I returned from my first tour I was married immediately on my return and after a few by the same Did you ever receive a discharge from the service

and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Ans I received three written discharges for the three terms I served; they were given the soldiers by their captains I cannot say whether they were signed by the field officers or captains they were lost as before by the same State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
Ans The foregoing certificate of William Brown and Drury Brown has fully answered as to my services and my standing as to truth and veracity
State of Tennessee I Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the Smith County Court for the county aforesaid do hereby certify and declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant Jesse Gant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that John Saunders who has signed the above certificate is a clergyman resident in the county and State aforesaid and that Dempsey Dobbins who has also signed said certificate is a resident in the county and State aforesaid and they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that I am well acquainted with Jesse Gant and from his old age and what he told me of his bodily infirmity and living more than thirty miles from the court house of his county he cannot without endangering his health attend the court in order to have the above interrogatories put in open court and they answered and that I have carefully put them myself as directed by the war department Witness my hand and seal this 8 day of July 1833
Patrick Ferguson
State of Tennessee I Jonathan Pickett clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county do hereby certify that Patrick Ferguson before whom the foregoing proceedings was had in the matter of the application of Jesse Gant an applicant for a pension as had, now is and was at the time said proceedings was had, an acting justice of the court in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office in Nashville this 18th day of July 1833 and 58th year of our Lord and Master
J. Pickett

24.385
West
Jesse Gant. Smith Co Tennessee
from 1780 private 9 months $30.
\frac{2}{2}
A. Ferguson
A. Ferguson
Carthage Smith Co Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 18 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jesse Gent. Smith Co. Tennessee
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     " 3 " Priv Capt. Johnson Gen. Butler Col. Colier None N. Car 72 years Wake Co Witnesses. Willie Brown   " 3 " " Capt. Blake " Hilsman Major Griffith " " N. Car Drury Brown   " 3 " " " Trent Col. Taylor  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
(k) The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(l) This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(m) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(n) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowen

State of Tennessee Smith County On this third day of October 1838 personally appeared before me Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Mary Ann Gant aged Seventy Six years Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declara- ation in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the Joint Resolution of the 7th July 1838 That she is the widow of Jesse Gant Who was a Pensioner of the United States and drew his Pension in Nash- ville State of Tennessee and was a residen- t of the county aforesaid up to the day of his death. She further declares that she was married to the said Jesse Gant on the twenty ninth day of January Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight. That her husband the aforesaid Jesse Gant died on the 11th day of February 1833 and that she the said Mary Ann Gant has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She further makes oath that she has no record of her marriage or other documentary testimony in support of her claim and must rely upon living witnesses having a personal knowledge of the fact Subscribed before me
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and your just above mentioned Patrick Ferguson Esq. } Sir Justice of the Peace } Mary Ann Gent Esq mark

State of Pennsylvania Smith County
I Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Mary Ann Gent who has made the foregoing affi- davit before me that she is a woman of truth and veracity and that full faith and credit are due to her statements I further certify that owing to old age and bodily infirmity and having a con- siderable distance from the court house she cannot attend and make this declara- tion in open court and that she has subscribed to the same before me
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of October 1838 Patrick Ferguson
Justice of the peace
State of Pennsylvania on this the twenty second of October Smith County 1838 Personally appeared Willie Brown a Respectable citizen of the County of Allen and State of Kentucky he having come to the county of Smith to make this affidavit aged seventy years or upwards and made oath in due form of law before me Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid that he was well acquainted with John Gent and Mary Ann Gent before and after their marriage they lived close neighbours in the time of the War of the Revolution they were mar- ried some time in February 1778 as well as this affidavit Recollected in Wake County North Carolina by a Justice of the peace by the name of Joseph Leane turn the page 3

Thurs
he was present and saw them legally Married and therefore knows the fact and after their Marriage he saw the said Jese Gant start from his house that is to say said Gant to perform a tour of duty or service of three months as a Militia man and after his tour of service saw him Return home to his family and therefore knows of his living in actual service after they were Married to his present Widdow and likewise knows that she is now unmarried and has since her husbands death he has already stated under oath some years since about the service of Jese Gant when he was placed on the pension Roll to which he was here wife sworn to and subscribed before me this 22 nd day of October 1858. Patrick Ferguson } Justice of the Peace Will Brown
State of Tennessee This 23 rd day of October 1838 personally Appeared Thomas Driver aged about seventy three years or upwards before me Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with Jese Gant and Mary Ann Gant before and after their Marriage he was not present but he has no more doubt of their marriage being legally solemnized than if he was present for his Fathers family were invited and as well as he can remember he believes his Father and Mother went to the Marriage they then lived Neighbors in Wake county North Carolina and he has been well acquainted with them in this state afterwards and None the applicant Mary Ann Gant lives in this Neighborhood and still remains a Widdow he well recollects of seeing Jese Gant go to the Army of the Revolution saw him leave his family to perform a tour of three months before the battle of Guilford sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 rd day of October 1838 Thomas Driver mark Patrick Ferguson } Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee Smith County
I Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county of Smith and State aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquain- ted with Willie Brown of Allen County Kentucky and Thomas Drenn of Smith County of this State who have heretofore appeared and made the foregoing affidavit before me that they are both men of respectability and truth and that the utmost credit is due and of right ought to be given to their Statements.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 16 th day of November 1838
Patrick Ferguson Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee Smith County
I John B Burnett clerk of Smith County Court hereby certify that Patrick Ferguson before whom the foregoing proceedings were had was at the time the same purporting to be an act and now is one of the acting Justices of the Peace, in and for said Smith County duly Commissioned and qualified as the law directs, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his an
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at office this 17 th day of December 1838
John B Burnett clerk of Smith County Court

Rev  WIDOW, &c.  our
File No. _____
7510
Mary Ann Gent Wid. of Jesse Gent Br. N.C. line
Act: _____
July 4/936
Index:—Vol. _____
24
Page _____
268
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jesse Gent W. Ten; Act 7 June 1832 to what time paid?
Deed 17 th Feb 1838 p o (Pen: Offici.
to that period
J/H
May 18, 1839.

Carthage Tennessee 28th November 1888
Dear Sir
In closed are the papers of Mary Ann Gant establishing her claim to a Pension. It is one of those plain cases that need no comment or explanation. The declaration and testimony will speak for themselves. One of the same witnesses that proved her husbands services proves also her marriage and refers to his testimony in his affidavit. The other witness who proved Jesse Gents term of service has lately died but we have got another in his place that proves circumstantially the same. I have no doubt whatever of the legality of this claim and should you think with me; Please send on the certificate as soon as convenient
With great respect I am &c. A. H. Gentry
James L Edwards Esq commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Carriage Tennessee 5 th June 1838
Sir
Inclosed are the power of attorney and oath of Darity of Mary Ann Gant widow of Jesse Gant for a bill of Pensions due her late husband. You will please direct the agent at Nashville to pay the same to her or her legal representative should the papers be made out satisfactorily Very Respectfully A. H. Gant
James S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Leithay Temple 14 th August 1838
Sir
Enclose are the papers in the case of Mary ann Galt you will please order the payment of the same should they be correctly made With Great Respect
I am Sir yours &c A. Hergunson
James L Edwards Esq Commission of Pensions Washington

Oct 17 Hon. J. L. Gower
Jesse Gentry Mortgage to J. L. Gower 240 1437
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Very Affectionately your son
- Nice Mr. Walter and his in the with and your

State of Tennessee Smith County
Dear Sir after my best respect to you I have been called upon to qualifz Mr Jesse Gent A pensioner of the revolution some few days ago his attorney applied to the Agent at Nashville who directed him to send the power of Attorney and Certificate to you and you would direct him to pay said Gent the Amount of his claim - the fact is that Mr Gent is and has been unable to go to Nash- -ville himself which is about 60 miles and the the Semi annual payments being so small and not thinking that a delay would preju- -dice the matter therefore prays that you will direct the payment which is from the 4 th September 1835 to the present time and please forward your favor to him to Brattons post office Smith County Tennessee
I am with much respect your ob t serv t
Hon J. L. Edwards
John Cliburn Justice of the peace Smith Co

State of Tennessee On this 5 th December 1886 Smith County I personally appeared before me Patrick Ferguson an acting Justice of the peace for said County I being a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law both on his oath make the following Declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Con- gress passed June 19 th 1886.
That he entered the service of the United States under the authority of North Carolina under the command and of Colonel Collier and was drafted to serve a three months term his captain's name was Joseph Johnston The Brigade was under the com- mand of General Butler; he at that time lived in Wake County North Carolina, Does not recollect the day nor the year they marched into service but recollects it was at the same time General Gates was defeated. He marched from Wake to Salisbury and was stationed there to guard the prisoners in Salisbury Jail He got a discharge for the full period but owing to having his house burnt it was destroyed.
He served another term as a drafted Militia man the summer following under the command of Captain Benjamin Blake that they with another the Captain's Company (Hillsboro) and a com- pany of light Horse were stationed at Wake Court house now called Raleigh to guard the general assembly from the British and Tories after the session of the General assembly had adjourned and went home they were mustered

Marched to Smithfield where it was considered that Hillsman and Blakes companies could be commanded by one and they accordingly drew who should go home and the lot fell upon Hillsman who commanded the balance of the time They were marched from Smithfield to the river Neuse and then to creek called Gasken thence to Grays ferry on the Neuse and was then discharged he got a written dis- charge but got it burnt in his house the latter part of this service was under Major Griffin he served three m- onths this time He was drafted again as a militia man for three months and was marched from Wake County to Hillsborough to guard the town recollects to be one of the Tories hung but does not recollect his name his captain named John Trent The colonels name was John Taylor got a discharge this time for three months but was burnt with the others He has two witnesses Willie Brown and Drury Brown who can testify as to his having served the above terms. His last time was when peace was made He hereby relinquishes every claim what- ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or territory
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 8 day and year aforesaid J. P. G. Gent Seal mark
We Willie Brown and Drury Brown do hereby certify on oath that we are well acquainted with J. P. G. Gent and know of his having served the above terms of service in militia service of North Carolina in all nine months Sworn to before me this 25 th June 1832 Drury Brown Willie Brown

Question 1 st
When and where were you Born and I was born in Edgecombe County North Carolina
2 d Have you any record of and if so where is it and I have none My father was not a man that could write his name
3 d Where were you living when called into Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live and I lived when called into Service in North Carolina I moved to Kentucky and then came to Tennessee where I now live The 4 th 5 th and 6 th interrogatories are answered in the foregoing declarations 7 th State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character and your services and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution
and the foregoing certificate of Willie Brown and Druy Brown has fully answered as to my services and testify as to my character

We John Saunders a regular minister of the gospel and Dempsey Driver residing in the State and County aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Gant and also with Willie Brown and Drury Brown who gave the above certificate that we believe said Gant is 76 years of age that Willie Brown and Drury Brown are entitled to every credit upon oath as well as the said Gant and that he is reputed to be generally in the neighbourhood where he resides to be a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in said opinion
Sworn to and subscribed before me This 5 th December 1832
John Saunders Seal
Dempsey Driver Seal
State of Tennessee South County I Patrick Hargesson one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Jesse Gant and that from old age and what he told me of his bodily infirmity and liv- ing upwards of thirty miles from the courthouse he cannot without endangering his health at this season of the year attend at the courts in order to have the above interrogatories put to him said they are true and that I have carefully put them myself and caused it to be done according to law 27th Feb 1832 Patrick Hargesson

State of Tennessee ) I Jonathan Pickett Brickel County.
Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County, do hereby certify that Patrick Drayton before whom the foregoing proceedings was had in the matter of the application of Dea. Bent for a pension, now is, and at the time said proceedings was had, one of the acting Justices of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and qualified according to Law.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Cook age, this 16th day of March 1833. and 57th year of our Lord Rendence
J. Pickett